New Mexico Books

Fray Angelico Chavez takes us on a tour de force ride through the landscape of the Southwest and especially of New Mexico. This is a magical romp through history of the New World as pertaining to the New Mexico, which is the land, where Fray Angelico Chavez feels at home in. This is a fictionalized historical account, which seems fantastic at time, and it is very addictive read, considering that it deals with history, but does so in very entertaining, and magnetic way. Anyone interested in the Southwest should read this book as it will enlighten, and educate. It contains classical, biblical, and native american allusions, references, and influences. The brethen of Don Quixote also make appearance, and seem very much at home in the strange landscape of the new world. Penitentes walk through bearing their crosses. Read it, and you will never look at the Southwest in quite the same way again.

The editiorial reviews available on this fine publication only hint at its value to preservationists, architects, and anyone involved with architectural design review boards. Wilson provides a concise history of Santa Fe and the cross-cultural influences that have shaped its architecture. Most importantly, the author examines the influence that early 20th century historic preservation philosophies had in formalizing what has ultimately become the "Santa Fe Sytle." This is essential material for anyone interested in examining how historic preservation can impact, both positively and negatively, contemporary architectural aesthetics.

Former New Mexico state historian Robert J. Torrez presents Myth of the Hanging Tree: Stories of Crime and Punishment in Territorial New Mexico, a close study of various criminal cases that tell of the often gruesome role that legal hangings and lynching's had in enacting frontier justice. In these violent episodes lie an indelible legacy influencing America's modern perception of the Old West. Myth of the Hanging Tree sorts truth from fiction. Illustrated with a handful of black-and-white photographs, Myth of the Hanging Tree is a singularly fascinating addition to crime history reference shelves and collections.

Barbara Kramer writes a much needed biography of Nampeyo, the Tewa potter. This book is a comprehensive look at Nampeyo's life, as both a member of the Hopi/Tewa nation, and as a seminal artist. Kramer also succesfully challenges much of the conventional wisdom surrounding Nampeyo's life and work, some of which has persisted for almost a century.

While setting the context in which Nampeyo lived and worked, Kramer also draws a vivid picture of life in the Hopi/Tewa villages at the close of the 19th Century. Beset by archeologists, ethnographers, and missionaries, the Hopis attempted to maintain a way of life and culture that had sustained them for generations.

Kramer writes in a clear, accessible style, and makes liberal use of quotes and other references from Nampeyo's extended family. For anyone interested in the history and development of 20th Century Hopi pottery, this book is a must read.

This is a must-have for all students of Mesoamerica, the Conquest of Mexico, or even armchair travel! This succinct report of a supposed companion of Cortes describes Aztec life, religion, dress, food, warfare, and more. Although some modern historians doubt if the Anonymous Conqueror was actually a conquistador, the book still stands as a record of popular knowledge of the Aztecs.

The original Spanish text of the report of the Anonymous Conqueror is lost. This edition from the Italian translation by Ramusio in 1556. Much speculation has arisen as to the identity of the writer, and it has been held by some to be the work of Francisco de Terrazas. In the publication of Ramusio it is simply ascribed to a "Gentleman of Cortes." It is a matter of deep regret that the author did not write a more extensive account, or if he did, that it should have been lost, for as Icazbalceta remarks, "it is without doubt one of our best historical documents."

The Texan Santa Fe Expedition of 1841 might well have been the lowest moment in Texas history. Maybe that's the reason memories of the trek have faded into obscurity. Kendall's narrative of the planning of the Expedition, the gathering at Kinney Fort and the trek northward and westward were all invaluable as a reference tool when I was writing Hell Bent For Santa Fe. I'd imagine Larry McM also used it when he was writing Dead Man's Walk, about the march of the captives south to Mexico after the surrender. If you are a casual reader or a historian you'll probably want to own this tome. In my own researches through the Texas Archives and the various libraries and surviving diaries I almost always referred back to the Kendall book to see what he was doing at the time.

In addition to the value as a research tool, this is a great read. Kendall's writing style converts historical events, misery, turmoil, mutiny, Indian fights and hunger in a way seldom found in non-fiction. You'll read this book more than once.

"Berkeley lecturer Dubin deserves congratulations for even attempting a clear overview of her thorny subject--the history and present state of the collecting and exhibiting of the objects created by the world's indigenous peoples of North America. That she has to a great degree succeeded is gratifying, so vast are the potential pitfalls. Dubin moves between the worlds of anthropology and modern art with equal confidence and does not mistake evenhandedness for blandness. Thus, for example, the naive collectors of "Indian Art" looking for a fix of authenticity are not isolated and condemned, but placed within a broad historical and cultural framework. . . . "Dubin's knowledgeably poised book is an invaluable contribution to cultural studies."-Publishers Weekly

Scott Vicker's new book about the depiction of Native Americans in art and literature in a thorough and academically rigorous account, yet quite readable. The book helps one to understand how the depiction of Indians has been influenced by the economic and social needs of the dominant white culture, whether that be the dehumanizing of Indians to justify wiping out their cultures, or their romanticization to attract tourists to their lands and make money selling their art. Vickers also brings to attention several writers, for example Frank Waters, who have attempted to deeply understand the culture they are depicting and to create multidimensional characters that provide the reader with a window into the true lives of Native Americans. Seeing how the depiction of Indians has progressed toward a more authentic and self-expressed picture over the last 50 years provides some uplift to counteract the rather depressing story of the books first half. (This book sco! res an impressive 9.5 on the PC scale.) Overall, Vicker's book avoids excessive academic jargon and provides insight for people who are interested in literature and art that depicts Native American's, but may not have thought too deeply about how such depictions have been influenced by the paradigms of the time. The reader may occasionally feel frustrated when Vickers discusses artwork without reproducing it in his book, but this minor problem does little to mar an otherwise outstanding text.

A detailed overview of the golden days of government-produced children's books by notables such as Ann Nolan Clark, Pablita Velarde and Fred Kabotie with detailed notes about authors, artists, publishers, and the books themselves. About halfway throug the book, you'll find yourself trolling on amazon for copies of your very own of these long-out-of-print titles, so this is an extremely dangerous (and ultimately expensive) book! Forewarned.

Poet and professor Norma Wilson offers us eight concise chapters on eight living literary heroes--four men and four women--who are well known nationwide in Indian country but still exotic enough to pique the interest of mainstream readers. In passing, and particularly in her introduction and a concluding chapter entitled "The New Generation," Wilson makes cogent observations on many other Native poets. There is no better brief introduction to Native writing (most Natives begin writing as poets). Not a word is wasted, and the bibliography alone is worth the price of the book. Wilson's expert literary analysis bridges the gap between the Western European canon and oral tradition.